What's happening
This bill allows drivers to remove their hands from the steering wheel when an approved driving automation system is engaged.
Why it matters
Enables the practical use of advanced driver-assistance technologies. , making it legal for drivers to let go of the steering wheel when an approved automation system is active. This could help accelerate the adoption of semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles in New York.
References the industry-standard SAE J3016. to define what qualifies as a "driving automation system." This gives clarity and aligns state law with recognized technical standards, which may help manufacturers and regulators stay on the same page as technology evolves.
Potentially impacts liability and enforcement. if an incident occurs while a driving automation system is engaged, questions may arise about whether the technology or the human is responsible, which could influence insurance, accident investigations, and legal standards.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Allow Hands-Free Self-Driving
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
8 Co-sponsors
History
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Allow Hands-Free Self-Driving
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Joseph E. Robach
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
9636
IN ASSEMBLY
January 30, 2018
Introduced by M. of A. MORELLE -- read once and referred to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to permitting a driver to not have a hand on the steering mechanism of a vehicle while a driving automation system is engaged
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Section 1226 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 506 of the laws of 1971, is amended to read as follows:
§ 1226. Control of steering mechanism. No person shall operate a motor vehicle without having at least one hand or, in the case of a physically handicapped person, at least one prosthetic device or aid on the steering mechanism at all times when the motor vehicle is in motion unless a driving automation system, as defined in SAE J3016 as periodically revised, is engaged to perform steering function.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the first of November next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law and shall apply to violations committed on and after such date.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14164-01-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.